The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC) is the most important human rights instrument for children. It was passed on November 20th, 1989, by the General Assembly of the United Nations. It is the most ratified UN-Convention - every member state has signed it, except for the United States. The Federal Republic of Germany signed it on January 26th, 1990, and it came into effect on April 5th, 1992. The rights of children were written down in 54 articles, and oblige the state to their implementation, that is, to respect, protect and fulfill them.

Pontificia Universita Gregoriana; World Congress: Child Dignity in the Digital World

From 3rd to 6th of October 2017 the Child Dignity World Congress took place at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. Among the 30 speakers at the congress was Jutta Croll, representing the project „Children’s Rights and Child protection“ at Stiftung Digitale Chancen. In a concluding audience the „Declaration of Rome“ was presented to Pope Francis by the congress participants, appealing governments, industry and the civil society to stand up for the protection of the rights and the dignity of children.

The guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the
digital environment were adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the
Council of Europe on 4 July 2018.
The purpose of the guidelines is to assist states and other relevant
stakeholders in their efforts to adopt a comprehensive, strategic
approach in building and containing the often complex world of the
digital environment.

How to better respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment is at the core of the new Recommendation adopted today by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. Building on international and European legal instruments, the text provides comprehensive guidelines for action by European governments.
The digital environment shapes children’s lives in many ways, creating opportunities and risks to their well-being and enjoyment of human rights. Governments are recommended to review their legislation, policies and practices to ensure that these adequately address the full range of the rights of the child. States should also ensure that business enterprises and other key partners meet their human rights responsibilities and are held accountable in case of abuses.

Since launching the Programme "Building a Europe for and with children", in Monaco in 2006, the Council of Europe has implemented strategies over a series of policy cycles to guide its work on children’s rights.

This new landmark treaty of the Council of Europe opens the path for creating a legal framework at pan-European level to protect women against all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and domestic violence.
The definition of “women” includes girls under the age of 18.

This Convention is the first instrument to establish the various forms of sexual abuse of children as criminal offences, including such abuse committed in the home or family, with the use of force, coercion or threats.

The Convention is the first international treaty on crimes committed via the Internet and other computer networks, dealing particularly with infringements of copyright, computer-related fraud, child pornography and violations of network security. It also contains a series of powers and procedures such as the search of computer networks and interception.

The European Social Charter (revised) of 1996 embodies in one instrument all rights guaranteed by the Charter of 1961, its additional Protocol of 1988 (ETS No. 128) and adds new rights and amendments adopted by the Parties. It is gradually replacing the initial 1961 treaty.